BEFORE YOU GO AND READ THIS GOOD PIECE – PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT ALL CHURCHES TEACH HIGH PRINCIPALS AND THE TEACHINGS OF PEACE AND LOVE. BUT, THE LEADERS OF THESE CHURCHES…..NEARLY ALL OF THEM……ARE THE FIRST ONES TO SUPPORT POLITICIANS WHO WANT WAR. THEY CAN TALK ALL THEY WANT, BUT ACTION IS WHAT COUNTS. DESPTE ROMNEY’S STANCE ON TORTURE, GORDON B. HINCKLEY WAS HIS BIGGEST FAN. —- SQUARE THAT.

Border issues moot to Mormons in Utah

Denver Post/April 2, 2006By Michael Riley

Salt Lake City — At a bustling Latino market on Salt Lake’s west side, dusty workmen munch plates of carnitas at a lunch counter while shoppers scan the aisles for goodies like stewed chipotles or fresh tomatillos.

Behind the cash register, a Peruvian immigrant named Karin says she loves Utah. And even better, this state seems to love her back.

“My aunt told me you can get a (driver’s) license, you can go to university. That was a big reason I came,” said Karin, 25, who said she plans to take advantage of a law that allows illegal immigrants to get in-state tuition by studying nursing.

TO THOSE WHO ARE INVESTIGATING “MORMONISM”

By RICHARD PACKHAM

Revisions as of April 12, 2007

If you are investigating Mormonism (the “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” or “LDS Church”), you are probably studying it in private meetings in your home with missionaries from that church. Here are some of the key things that they are probably telling you:

Mormonism began in 1820 when a teen-aged boy in western New York named Joseph Smith was spurred by a Christian revival where he lived to pray to God for guidance as to which church was true. In answer to his prayers he was visited by God the Father and God the Son, two separate beings, who told him to join no church because all the churches at that time were false, and that he, Joseph, would bring forth the true church. This event is called “The First Vision.”

In 1823 Joseph had another heavenly visitation, in which an angel named Moroni told him of a sacred history written by ancient Hebrews in America, engraved in an Egyptian dialect on tablets of gold and buried in a nearby hill. Joseph was told it was the history of the ancient peoples of America, and that Joseph would be the instrument for bringing this record to the knowledge of the world. Joseph obtained these gold plates from the angel in 1827, and translated them into English by the spirit of God and the use of a sacred instrument accompanying the plates called the “Urim and Thummim.” The translation was published in 1830 as The Book of Mormon, now revered by Mormons as scripture, along with the Bible.

The Book of Mormon is a religious and secular history of the inhabitants of the Western Hemisphere from about 2200 BC to about 421 AD. It tells the reader that the American Indians are descended from three groups of immigrants who were led by God from their original homes in the Near East to America. One group came from the Tower of Babel, and two other groups came from Jerusalem just before the Babylonian Captivity, about 600 BC. They were led by prophets of God who had the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is thus preserved in their history, the Book of Mormon. Many of the descendants of these immigrants were Christians, even before Christ was born in Palestine, but many were unbelievers. Believers and unbelievers fought many wars, the last of which left only degenerate unbelievers as survivors, who are the ancestors of the American Indians. The most important event during this long history was the visit of Jesus Christ to America, after his crucifixion, when he ministered to (and converted) all the inhabitants.

Joseph Smith was directed by revelation from God to reestablish (“restore”) the true church, which he did in 1830. He was visited several times by heavenly messengers, who ordained him to the true priesthood. He continued to have revelations from God to guide the church and to give more knowledge of the Gospel. Many of these revelations are published in the Doctrine and Covenants, accepted by Mormons as scripture, along with the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

Joseph Smith and his followers were continually persecuted for their religious beliefs, and driven from New York State to Ohio, then to Missouri, then to Illinois, where Joseph Smith was murdered in 1844 by a mob, a martyr to his beliefs. The church was then led by Brigham Young, Joseph’s successor, to Utah, where the Mormons settled successfully.

The LDS church is led today by the successors of Joseph Smith. The present president of the church is a “prophet, seer and revelator” just as Joseph Smith was, and guides the members of the church through revelations and guidance from God.

The modern LDS church is the only true church, as restored by God through Joseph Smith. Other churches, derived from the early Christian church, are in apostasy because their leaders corrupted the scriptures, changed the ordinances of the original church, and often led corrupt lives, thus losing their authority.

By accepting baptism into the LDS church you take the first step necessary toward your salvation and your ultimate entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven (the “Celestial Kingdom”).

WHAT THE MISSIONARIES WILL NOT TELL YOU

Until recently, the missionaries were required to present Mormonism in six “discussions”, which were a series of memorized sales talks. They are now encouraged simply to “follow the spirit” in their presentations. The basic message and approach, however, is still essentially the same. A thorough, thoughtful and balanced discussion of each of the six “official” lessons as the missionaries formerly presented them to investigators is at http://www.lds4u.com, together with the techniques and strategies which the missionaries are instructed to use. (The actual texts of the discussions were also on this site at one time, but the Mormon church threatened the webmaster with a lawsuit, and he removed them; click on “next” at each window to read a summary and commentary.)

Here is a summary of important facts about the Mormon church, its doctrine, and its history that the missionaries will probably not tell you. We are not suggesting that they are intentionally deceiving you –most of the young Mormons serving missions for the church are not well educated in the history of the church or in modern critical studies of the church. They probably do not know the all the facts themselves. They have been trained, however, to give investigators “milk before meat,” that is, to postpone revealing anything at all that might make an investigator hesitant, even if it is true. But you should be aware of these facts before you commit yourself.

Each of the following facts has been substantiated by thorough historical scholarship. And this list is by no means exhaustive! For links to articles substantiating each of these points, CLICK on the word NOTES following the item.

The “First Vision” story in the form presented to you was unknown until 1838, eighteen years after its alleged occurrence and almost ten years after Smith had begun his missionary efforts. The oldest (but quite different) version of the vision is in Smith’s own handwriting, dating from about 1832 (still at least eleven years afterwards), and says that only one personage, Jesus Christ, appeared to him. It also mentions nothing about a revival. It also contradicts the later account as to whether Smith had already decided that no church was true. Still a third version of this event is recorded as a recollection in Smith’s diary, fifteen years after the alleged vision, where one unidentified “personage” appeared, then another, with a message implying that neither was the Son. They were accompanied by many “angels,” which are not mentioned in the official version you have been told about. Which version is correct, if any? Why was this event, now said by the church to be so important, unknown for so long? NOTES

Careful study of the religious history of the locale where Smith lived in 1820 casts doubt on whether there actually was such an extensive revival that year as Smith and his family later described as associated with the “First Vision.” The revivals in 1817 and 1824 better fit what Smith described later. NOTES

In 1828, eight years after he supposedly had been told by God himself to join no church, Smith applied for membership in a local Methodist church. Other members of his family had joined the Presbyterians. NOTES

Contemporaries of Smith consistently described him as something of a confidence man, whose chief source of income was hiring out to local farmers to help them find buried treasure by the use of folk magic and “seer stones.” Smith was actually tried in 1826 on a charge of moneydigging. NOTES It is interesting that none of his critics seemed to be aware of his claim to have been visited by God in 1820, even though in his 1838 account he claimed that he had suffered “great persecution” for telling people of his vision.

The only persons who claimed to have actually seen the gold plates were eleven close friends of Smith (many of them related to each other). Their testimonies are printed in the front of every copy of the Book of Mormon. No disinterested third party was ever allowed to examine them. They were retrieved by the angel at some unrecorded point. Most of the witnesses later abandoned Smith and left his movement. Smith then called them “liars.” NOTES

Smith produced most of the “translation” not by reading the plates through the Urim and Thummim (described as a pair of sacred spectacles), but by gazing at the same “seer stone” he had used for treasure hunting. He would place the stone into his hat, and then cover his face with it. For much of the time he was dictating, the gold plates were not even present, but in a hiding place. NOTES

The detailed history and civilization described in the Book of Mormon does not correspond to anything found by archaeologists anywhere in the Americas. The Book of Mormon describes a civilization lasting for a thousand years, covering both North and South America, which was familiar with horses, elephants, cattle, sheep, wheat, barley, steel, wheeled vehicles, shipbuilding, sails, coins, and other elements of Old World culture. But no trace of any of these supposedly very common things has ever been found in the Americas of that period. Nor does the Book of Mormon mention many of the features of the civilizations which really did exist at that time in the Americas. The LDS church has spent millions of dollars over many years trying to prove through archaeological research that the Book of Mormon is an accurate historical record, but they have failed to produce any convincing pre-columbian archeological evidence supporting the Book of Mormon story. In addition, whereas the Book of Mormon presents the picture of a relatively homogeneous people, with a single language and communication between distant parts of the Americas, the pre-columbian history of the Americas shows the opposite: widely disparate racial types (almost entirely east Asian – definitely not Semitic, as proven by recent DNA studies), and many unrelated native languages, none of which are even remotely related to Hebrew or Egyptian. NOTES

The people of the Book of Mormon were supposedly devout Jews observing the Law of Moses, but in the Book of Mormon there is almost no trace of their observance of Mosaic law or even an accurate knowledge of it. NOTES

Although Joseph Smith said that God had pronounced the completed translation of the plates as published in 1830 “correct,” many changes have been made in later editions. Besides thousands of corrections of poor grammar and awkward wording in the 1830 edition, other changes have been made to reflect subsequent changes in some of the fundamental doctrine of the church. For example, an early change in wording modified the 1830 edition’s acceptance of the doctrine of the Trinity, thus allowing Smith to introduce his later doctrine of multiple gods. A more recent change (1981) replaced “white” with “pure,” apparently to reflect the change in the church’s stance on the “curse” of the black race. NOTES

Joseph Smith said that the Book of Mormon contained the “fulness of the gospel.” However, its teaching on many doctrinal subjects has been ignored or contradicted by the present LDS church, and many doctrines now said by the church to be essential are not even mentioned there. Examples are the church’s position on the nature of God, the Virgin Birth, the Trinity, polygamy, Hell, priesthood, secret organizations, the nature of Heaven and salvation, temples, proxy ordinances for the dead, and many other matters. NOTES

Many of the basic historical notions found in the Book of Mormon had appeared in print already in 1825, just two years before Smith began producing the Book of Mormon, in a book called View of the Hebrews, by Ethan Smith (no relation) and published just a few miles from where Joseph Smith lived. A careful study of this obscure book led one LDS church official (the historian B. H. Roberts, 1857-1933) to confess that the evidence tended to show that the Book of Mormon was not an ancient record, but concocted by Joseph Smith himself, based on ideas he had read in the earlier book. NOTES

Although Mormons claim that God is guiding the LDS church through its president (who has the title “prophet, seer and revelator”), the successive “prophets” have repeatedly either led the church into undertakings that were dismal failures or failed to see approaching disaster. To mention only a few: the Kirtland Bank, the United Order, the gathering of Zion to Missouri, the Zion’s Camp expedition, polygamy, the Deseret Alphabet NOTES. A recent example is the successful hoax perpetrated on the church by manuscript dealer Mark Hofmann in the 1980s. He succeeded in selling the church thousands of dollars worth of manuscripts which he had forged. The church and its “prophet, seer and revelator” accepted them as genuine historical documents. The church leaders learned the truth not from God, through revelation, but from non-Mormon experts and the police, after Hofmann was arrested for two murders he committed to cover up his hoax. This scandal was reported nationwide. NOTES

The secret temple ritual (the “endowment”) was introduced by Smith in May, 1842, just two months after he had been initiated into Freemasonry. The LDS temple ritual closely resembles the Masonic ritual of that day. NOTES Smith explained that the Masons had corrupted the ancient (God-given) ritual by changing it and removing parts of it, and that he was restoring it to its “pure” and “original” (and complete) form, as revealed to him by God. In the years since, the LDS church has made many fundamental changes in the “pure and original” ritual as “restored” by Smith, mostly by removing major parts of it. NOTES

Many doctrines which were once taught by the LDS church, and held to be fundamental, essential and “eternal”, have been abandoned. Whether we feel that the church was correct in abandoning them is not the point; rather, the point is that a church claiming to be the church of God takes one “everlasting” position at one time and the opposite position at another, all the time claiming to be proclaiming the word of God. Some examples are:

– The Adam-God doctrine (Adam is God the Father); NOTES
– the United Order (all property of church members is to be held in common, with title in the church);
– Plural Marriage (polygamy; a man must have more than one wife to attain the highest degree of heaven); NOTES
– the Curse of Cain (the black race is not entitled to hold God’s priesthood because it is cursed; this doctrine was not abandoned until 1978); NOTES
– Blood Atonement (some sins – apostasy, adultery, murder, interracial marriage – must be atoned for by the shedding of the sinner’s blood, preferably by someone appointed to do so by church authorities); NOTES

All of these doctrines were proclaimed by the reigning prophet to be the Word of God, “eternal,” “everlasting,” to govern the church “forevermore.” All have been abandoned by the present church.

Joseph Smith’s early revelations were collected and first published in 1833 in the Book of Commandments. God (as recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants Sections 1 and 67) supposedly testified by revelation that the revelations as published were true and correct. Because the Book of Commandments did not receive wide distribution (most copies were destroyed by angry opponents of the Mormons in Missouri, where it was published), they were republished – with additional revelations – as the Doctrine and Covenants in 1835 in Kirtland, Ohio. However, many of the revelations as published in Kirtland differed fundamentally from their versions as originally given. The changes generally gave more power and authority to Smith, and justified changes he was making in church organization and theology. The question naturally arises as to why revelations which God had pronounced correct needed to be revised. NOTES

Joseph Smith claimed to be a “translator” by the power of God. In addition to the Book of Mormon, he made several other “translations”:

– The Book of Abraham, from Egyptian papyrus scrolls which came into his possession in 1835. He stated that the scrolls were written by the biblical Abraham “by his own hand.” Smith’s translation is now accepted as scripture by the LDS church, as part of its Pearl of Great Price. Smith also produced an “Egyptian Grammar” based on his translation. Modern scholars of ancient Egyptian agree that the scrolls are common Egyptian funeral scrolls, entirely pagan in nature, having nothing to do with Abraham, and from a period 2000 years later than Abraham. The “Grammar” has been said by Egyptologists to prove that Smith had no notion of the Egyptian language. It is pure fantasy: he made it up. NOTES

– The “Inspired Revision” of the King James Bible. Smith was commanded by God to retranslate the Bible because the existing translations contained errors. He completed his translation in 1833, but the church still uses the King James Version. NOTES

– The “Kinderhook Plates,” a group of six metal plates with strange engraved characters, unearthed in 1843 near Kinderhook, Illinois, and examined by Smith, who began a “translation” of them. He never completed the translation, but he identified the plates as an “ancient record,” and translated enough to identify the author as a descendant of Pharaoh. Local farmers later confessed that they had manufactured, engraved and buried the plates themselves as a hoax. They had apparently copied the characters from a Chinese tea box. NOTES

Joseph Smith claimed to be a “prophet.” He frequently prophesied future events “by the power of God.” Many of these prophecies are recorded in the LDS scripture Doctrine and Covenants. Almost none have been fulfilled, and many cannot now be fulfilled because the deeds to be done by the persons named were never done and those persons are now dead. Many prophecies included dates for their fulfillment, and those dates are now long past, the events never having occurred. NOTES

Joseph Smith died not as a martyr, but in a gun battle in which he fired a number of shots. He was in jail at the time, under arrest for having ordered the destruction of a Nauvoo newspaper which dared to print an exposure (which was true) of his secret sexual liaisons. At that time he had announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States, set up a secret government, and secretly had himself crowned “King of the Kingdom of God.” NOTES

Since the founding of the church down to the present day the church leaders have not hesitated to lie, to falsify documents, to rewrite or suppress history, or to do whatever is necessary to protect the image of the church. Many Mormon historians have been excommunicated from the church for publishing their findings on the truth of Mormon history. NOTES

Mormonism includes many other unusual doctrines which you will probably not be told about until you have been in the church for a long time. These doctrines are not revealed to investigators or new converts because those people are not yet considered ready to have more than “milk” as doctrine. The Mormons also probably realize that if investigators knew of these unusual teachings they would not join the church. In addition to those mentioned elsewhere in this article, the following are noteworthy: NOTES

God was once a man like us.

God has a tangible body of flesh and bone.

God lives on a planet near the star Kolob.

God (“Heavenly Father”) has at least one wife, our “Mother in Heaven,” but she is so holy that we are not to discuss her nor pray to her.

We can become like God and rule over our own universe.

There are many gods, ruling over their own worlds.

Jesus and Satan (“Lucifer”) are brothers, and they are our brothers – we are all spirit children of Heavenly Father

Jesus Christ was conceived by God the Father by having sex with Mary, who was temporarily his wife.

We should not pray to Jesus, nor try to feel a personal relationship with him.

The “Lord” (“Jehovah”) in the Old Testament is the being named Jesus in the New Testament, but different from “God the Father” (“Elohim”).

In the highest degree of the celestial kingdom some men will have more than one wife.

Before coming to this earth we lived as spirits in a “pre-existence”, during which we were tested; our position in this life (whether born to Mormons or savages, or in America or Africa) is our reward or punishment for our obedience in that life.

Dark skin is a curse from God, the result of our sin, or the sin of our ancestors. If sufficiently righteous, a dark-skinned person will become light-skinned.

The Garden of Eden was in Missouri. All humanity before the Great Flood lived in the western hemisphere. The Ark transported Noah and the other survivors to the eastern hemisphere.

Not only will human beings be resurrected to eternal life, but also all animals – everything that has ever lived on earth – will be resurrected and dwell in heaven.

Christ will not return to earth in any year that has seen a rainbow.

Mormons should avoid traveling on water, since Satan rules the waters.

The sun receives its light from the star Kolob.

If a Gentile becomes Mormon, the Holy Ghost actually purges his Gentile blood and replaces it with Israelite blood.

YOUR LIFE AS A MORMON

If you should decide to become a member of the LDS church, you should be aware of what your life in the church will be like. Although you will find yourself warmly accepted by a lively community of healthy, active and generally supportive people, many of whom are very happy in Mormonism and could not imagine their lives without it, there is another side:

You will be continually reminded that to enter the highest degree of heaven (the “Celestial Kingdom”), you will have to go through the endowment ceremony in the temple and have your marriage to your Mormon spouse “sealed.” (If your spouse is not Mormon, or if you are not married, you cannot enter the highest degree of heaven.) To get permission to have these ceremonies performed in the temple, you must prove yourself to be a faithful and obedient member of the church and do everything commanded by the church authorities, from the Prophet down to the local level. You will have to undergo a personal “worthiness” interview with the local church authorities inquiring into your private life and your religious and social activities. NOTES

You will be expected to donate at least ten percent of your income to the church as tithing. Other donations will be expected as the need arises. You will never see an accounting of how this money is spent, or how much the church receives, or anything at all about its financial condition; the church keeps its finances secret, even from its members. NOTES

You will be expected to give up the use of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea. NOTES

You will be expected to fulfill any work assignment given to you. These assignments may be teaching, record keeping, janitorial work, cannery or farm work, helping in the Sunday nursery – any job that needs to be done. Each task you perform successfully will make you eligible for others, with more responsibility and more demands upon your time. The members who perform these jobs, even those involving sensitive pastoral counseling, receive no formal training whatsoever (there is no paid, trained clergy). You will be told that God has called you to your assignments. Many Mormons find much of their spare time taken up with church work, trying to fulfill the numerous assignments that have been given them.

You will be expected to be unquestioningly obedient to church authorities in whatever they might tell you to do. “Follow the Brethren” is the slogan, and it means to follow without doubt or question. Discussion of whether a decree from above is correct is discouraged. You will be expected to have faith that the leaders cannot possibly lead you astray. Even if they should tell you something which contradicts what a previous prophet may have said, you will be told “A living prophet takes precedence over a dead prophet.” NOTES

You will be able to “vote” on those who have been called to positions of authority over you, but the voting will be by the show of hands in a public meeting. Only one candidate for each office will be voted on (the one “called by God”). The voting is therefore almost always unanimous in favor of the candidate.

You will be advised not to read any material which is “not faith-promoting,” that is, which may be critical or questioning of the church or its leaders, or which might place the church or its leaders in an unfavorable light.

You will be advised not to associate with “apostates,” that is, former Mormons. (You will be asked in your “worthiness” interview about this.) NOTES

If you are unmarried, you will be encouraged to marry a good Mormon as soon as possible. When you do marry, in a wedding ceremony in the temple, your non-Mormon family members and friends will not be allowed to attend the ceremony, because only “worthy” Mormons are allowed to enter the temple.

If you are homosexual, you will be pressured to abandon this “evil” aspect of your nature. If you do not, you will probably not be fully accepted by other church members. If you do not remain celibate, you may be excommunicated. NOTES

If you are a male over 12 years of age and “worthy” (that is, if you are obedient, attend meetings, do not masturbate NOTES, etc.), you will be ordained to one of the levels of priesthood, and, if you continue to be faithful and obedient, you will gradually advance through the priesthood ranks. If you are female, you will receive the benefits of priesthood authority only indirectly, through your Mormon father or your Mormon husband. The role of the Mormon woman is to be a wife and mother and to obey and honor her priest husband (or father). NOTES

If you prove yourself to be faithful, hard working and obedient, you will eventually be considered worthy to “receive your endowment” in a Mormon temple. You will not be told in advance exactly what to expect in this lengthy ceremony, except that the details of the ritual are secret (Mormons prefer to say they are just “sacred,” but they treat them as though they are secret). As part of that ceremony you will be required to swear a number of oaths, the penalty for violation of which is no longer stated but until 1990 was death by various bloody methods, such as having your throat slit from ear to ear. You will be given the secret signs and passwords which are required to enter heaven. (Although most Mormons who have not received the endowment know very little about the ceremony, the entire liturgy is now available on the Internet to Mormon and non-Mormon alike.) After receiving the endowment you will be required to wear a special undergarment at all times. NOTES

If you should ever decide that you made a mistake in joining the church and then leave it, you will probably find (judging from the experiences of others who have done so) that many of your Mormon friends will abandon and shun you. If you are unable to convince your family members to leave the church with you, you will find that the church has broken up your family and your relationship with them may never recover. NOTES

Consider very carefully before you commit yourself, and remember that any doubts you may have now will likely only increase.

Examine carefully both sides of the Mormon story. Listen to the stories of those who have been through an unhappy Mormon experience, not just those Mormons who may speak glowingly of life in the church. NOTES

The Mormon missionaries are often charming and enthusiastic. They have an attractive story to tell. At first it sounds wonderful. But remember the old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!” Be careful not to fall into the trap of believing something simply because you want it to be true. Mormons may tell you that those who criticize the church are lying, misquoting and distorting. If you examine the sources used by the critics, however, you will discover that most of their source material is from official or semi-official Mormon writings. You, too, should examine those sources.

Is Mormonism a “cult”? Many experts on religious cults see in Mormonism the same fundamental characteristics as cults which have entrapped the unsuspecting, even though most people think of “cults” only as small, unknown groups. Use a “cult checklist” to evaluate Mormonism, or any group, before you commit yourself. NOTES

To get more information about the other side of Mormonism, or to see the evidence supporting any of our statements about the church, feel free to contact us. Our only aim is to make sure that you hear both sides. We promise not to preach at you, but only to provide you with facts to balance the Mormon story. Click here for the names and e-mail addresses of people to contact. Click here to read personal stories of people who have left Mormonism.

For a version of this INVESTIGATOR’S INFORMATION TRACT which can be downloaded and printed for handing out or mailing click here. It contains instructions on how to edit it for use as a hand-out.

NOTES AND LINKS TO MORE FACTS

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links and references listed here, in addition to containing valuable material about Mormonism, also contain Christian proselytizing material. Their inclusion here is not intended as an endorsement of any religion or religious organization.

For a very complete list of other websites critical of Mormonism, see Google’s ranked listing HERE.

BOOKS

Listed here are only a few “must read” books. There are hundreds of others. If your local library does not own them, your librarian can obtain them for you on interlibrary loan, usually for a very small fee. Most books listed are linked to on-line reviews or order information.

Mormonism: Shadow or Reality by Gerald and Sandra Tanner, 5th edition, Utah Lighthouse Ministry, 1987, Salt Lake City. The Tanners have done extensive research on early Mormon history and made many rare publications available by publishing photocopies of them at a low price. This book is a good summary of the contradictions and problems of Mormonism. Available from Utah Lighthouse Ministry, where a catalog of their publications is available. Also published in a slightly smaller version as The Changing World of Mormonism, Moody Press, Chicago, 1981 (now online).

JOSEPH SMITH AND THE METHODISTS
For Smith’s connection with the Methodists, see Inventing Mormonism, pp 54-55, citing Turner, History of Phelp’s and Gorham’s Purchase, p. 214, which relates that Smith was an informal “exhorter” at Methodist camp meetings before 1822; Pomeroy Tucker, The Origin, Rise and Progress of Mormonism (NY 1867), p 18: Smith joined the “probationary class” of the Methodist church; there was no Methodist church in Palmyra until July 1821 (Inventing Mormonism, p 60 n 41);http://utlm.org/topicalindexc.htm#Methodist Church

For a detailed discussion of Smith’s political ambitions, his title “king” and his secret government, see the book by D. Michael Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: [Volume 1] The Origins of Power, Signature Books, Salt Lake City, 1994. (Quinn was excommunicated from the Mormon church for his historical researches, but remains a believer)

For longer (booklength) accounts, see:Suddenly Strangers: Surrendering Gods and Heroes by the Morin brothers.(http://suddenlystrangers.com – click on “Excerpts”)Beyond Mormonism: An Elder’s Story by James R. Spencer, who converted to Mormonism and left it to become a Christian minister
Martha Beck (daughter of Mormon apologist Hugh Nibley), Leaving the Saints, Crown, 2005, ISBN 0609609912

digg_title = ‘Establishment Media Ignores Ron Paul Straw Poll Success’; digg_bodytext = ‘The establishment media has sought to bury and scoff at Ron Pauls dominating success in the Alabama and New Hampshire straw polls, while exalting the meaningless Iowa contest as a bellwether benchmark of national sentiment simply because their stooge Mitt Romney was the winner.’;

The establishment media has sought to bury and scoff at Ron Paul’s dominating success in the Alabama and New Hampshire straw polls, while exalting the meaningless Iowa contest as a bellwether benchmark of national sentiment simply because their stooge Mitt Romney was the winner.

He also trounced the contest’s only southerner, Mike Huckabee, by a clear 210 votes.

The Alabama state primary will play a very prominent role in next year’s presidential election because it is expected to be moved forward and become one of the first. Ron Paul was also victorious in New Hampshire this weekend after garnering 73% of the vote at the Strafford County GOP straw poll.

All the candidates had representatives in New Hampshire and Paul easily beat off Tancredo and Huckabee, who were there in person. A PR attempt on behalf of the Romney campaign to place signs all around the venue got a return of just 26 votes.

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The significance of straw polls can be debated back and forth, but what can’t be argued is the fact that Mitt Romney received lavish coverage from the media after his success in Iowa – despite the fact that the Iowa straw poll has historically proven to be meaningless – yet Paul’s victory in Alamaba and New Hampshire was met with muted dismissal.

“Now, granted, Alan Keyes won the last contested GOP straw poll in 1999, followed by Orrin Hatch, with eventual nominee George W. Bush coming in third,” writes Outside the Beltway’s James Joyner, “But Pat Robertson won the Iowa straw poll in 1987 and the press still pretends that contest is meaningful. Indeed, the winner in Ames has only gone on to win the nomination once. George H.W. Bush won the poll in 1979 and went on to lose the nomination to Ronald Reagan. Then, Bush lost the poll in 1987 (to Robertson) only to win the nomination. The other George Bush won in Ames in 1999, though, and also won the whole thing. So they’re 1 for 4!”

If the race was on a level playing field and the establishment media afforded as much attention to Ron Paul’s success as they gave Mitt Romney after the Iowa straw poll, the Texas Congressman’s campaign would be given unstoppable momentum, which is why at every turn the press have sought to dismiss, ridicule and ignore the only Constitutional candidate on the roster – Congressman Ron Paul.

FOR YOU INFORMATION: THE SECRET ELITE WOULD BE PERFECTLY HAPPY WITH EITHER CLINTON OR ROMNEY. THEY BOTH SHARE A RARE NUMBER AT 231 VERTICAL.

THIS YEAR OF 2007 JUST HAPPENS TO BE THE 231ST BIRTHDAY OF OUR COUNTRY.

What are the odds. You don’t wanna know. You might rather ask…WHAT IN BLAZES DOES IT MEAN. It means anyone but THESE TWO. Otherwise, prepare for a painful future.

Exmormon Contacts and Resources

People to contact and resources available for those in their journey out of Mormonism

FROM THIS BLOG HOST: NOW I KNOW IT WILL MAKE A LOT OF MORMONS MAD THAT I AM POSTING HELP FOR X MORMONS. HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT I NOW SEE HOW MUCH IS AT STAKE WITH ROMNEY. EVEN MORE SCARY.

THESE ARE REAL ISSUES PEOPLE HAVE WITH THE MORMON CHURCH. YOU CAN CALL IT BIGOTRY IF THAT HELPS KEEP THE GUILT AND SHAME IN CHECK, BUT I AM OFFERING NOW, SOME BLOG SPACE TO ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING TO HELP PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HURT BY THEIR EXPERIENCE IN THE CHURCH. I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE. DO YOUR SELF A FAVOR, AND DON’T GET ME STARTED. NOW, IF YOU HAVE SOME SUPPORT GROUPS SET UP TO COUNTER THE KIND AND LOVING HELP OFFERED X-MORMONS, SEND THEM ALONG, AND I WILL POST A COUPLE FOR YOU.

To Contact Exmormon.org volunteers directly,

E-Mail: Richard PackhamRichard is a retired attorney. He can help in all areas of Mormonism, but has developed a specialty to help parents who have children that have joined Mormonism.

E-Mail: KathleenKathleen is active with the Exmormon Foundation. She is in her early 30’s and willing to help with emotional abuse issues in Mormonism.

A foundation has been created to help ex-Mormons and those affected by Mormonism: www.exmormonfoundation.orgPlease contact the foundation about publicity and conferences.

These people have volunteered to give information and/or be of support to others. The majority of these people are former Mormons. Some helpers are Christian and some are of no religious affiliation. I have tried to note the religious orientation on each listing where appropriate.

The Bulletin Board is often used by individuals who wants to remain totally anonymous and receive a quick response. (150,000+ hits per weekday, busiest during lunch on the West Coast of USA. 900 posts per day)

Arizona

Chinle, Arizona

Larry DiLucchio lives in the Four Corners area of Arizona. He has a life time of experience with Mormonism and with life on an Indian reservation. Write to: A. Grant(updated Jan. 2004)

Mesa

Concerned Christians (This is a group of ex-Mormons)
PO Box 18
Mesa, Arizona 85211
(602) 833-2LDS They have regular support meetings in the Phoenix/Mesa area.

California

“Walnut Creek – Nolan, in his mid-fifties, is a construction management consultant, and is passionate about the arts, community theatre and critical thinking, when they don’t interfere with being a granddad. A 6th generation Mormon born and raised in Utah, he left the church 23 years ago and is proud to call himself a “post-mormon activist”. He is not shy about referring to himself as an “atheist“

Bay Area

Mark and Donna have both been very active Mormons. Mark served a mission and Donna was active in the various women’s organizations. You can read their stories at #122 and #123 . updated Jan 2004

Georgia

Idaho

Patchwork – Support Group for Disillusioned Mormons and others in religious transistion This group brings you together with others who are walking the same difficult path. We meet every month at: 413 B St. in Idaho Falls, Idaho. For more information, contact: Jeffrey Trunzer at 208-357-7290 or Jeffrey

Illinois

Iowa

Evelyn J. Hall offers ex-cult support and intercession for those who are investigating a cult or for loved ones whose families are caught up in cults. She is a former Mormon.

“Free in Jesus”
427 6th St.
Nevada, IA 50201

New Mexico

Janet Mertz-Hill was a life long member. She has written about Mormonism and her experiences. She is willing to correspond with individuals as they transition their lives out of that organization

North Carolina

Art Simmons had more than 22 years membership in the Mormon church. He has done extensive research into the historical and theological aspects of Mormonism and is willing to share his findings. He has been certified an Inter-Faith Witness Associate by the Southern Baptist Convention

Oregon

Roseburg

Richard Packham is willing to talk to Mormons or ex-Mormons. He is active with our ex-Mormon newsgroup and you can read #66 to learn more about him or visit his web site at Packham’s Site

Tennessee

Shirley was a convert to the church and served a mission in Oregon. She is in her 40s and is a kind individual who can offer sound advise and counsel to those leaving Mormonism. She has had many experiences in life and can relate well to those also troubled by physical handicaps. She is a Christian. updated Jan 2004

Utah

Salt Lake City

Rauni(she’ll probably answer sooner) and Dennis– Their story is #50 on the web site and they are willing to talk on the phone or meet in person in the Utah area. They can let you know of dates and times of support groups in the Salt Lake area. They have a Christian web site at Higley’s site.

The Mormon Alliance is for women who have received spiritual abuse by LDS priesthood leaders in their local wards or families. Please write to them for assistance if you have suffered abuse by the LDS church.

1st Baptist Church of Provo Utah offers a Gospel Outreach to people leaving or questioning Mormonism. The Leader of this outreach is Louis Wilkins at 801-374-8489 and is located at 1144 WE Columbia Lane in Provo Utah. They meet the third Tuesday of each month. The pastor Rhett Durfee is an ex-Mormon and about 35% of the members are ex-Mormons. Louis lwik1@netzero.net can be contacted for more information.

Washington

Seattle

Sandy – – Sandy has been involved with our group for a few years now. You can read her story at #56 about Mormon women and depression

Outside of the United States

German

Gunar is German and a returned missionary. He lives in East Germany and has a web site in German . He has also translated the tract “Thinking of Joining Mormonism?” For those of you German speaking this is a great site to visit.

England

Sharon T. joined the church in South Africa and has lived in Salt Lake, Kansas and Texas as a Mormon and is now in England with her 3 sons and her husband. She is in her 40’s and particularly wishes to help women who have suffered from abuse from church leaders. She welcomes mail from any Mormon or ex-Mormon desiring help.

Finland

Hong Kong

John . is a life time member who served a mission in Hong Kong and is now working and living there. He is an agnostic leaning towards atheism. He would love to help anyone in any way he can regarding their questions about Mormonism. You can read his story at #127.htmupdated Jan 19, 2004

Historical and Doctrinal Questions

For historical or intellectual questions regarding Mormonism please feel free to contact James at the web site below. James has studied Mormon history for many years and has developed an extensive Mormon research library. He has focused his research on the Book of Abraham papyri, Mormon polygamy, and the LDS temple endowment development, but James can certainly assist you in finding answers to a wide range of Mormon related questions. His web site on Mormon history well worth visiting.

Mormons in Transition This site has a wealth of information on history and archeology and the authors are Christian ministers.